Combined odometer and oiling indicator



Feb. 27, 1934.

J. A. SMITH ET AL COMBINED ODOMETER AND OILING INDICATOR Filed July 31. 1929 'wf/fig@ A ll` tQ |II'IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIllllllllllllIIIIIII'IHIIIHIIIHII 2 Sheets-Sheet l i i L- ATTORNEY Feb. 21, 1934. J A, SMITH UAL 1,948,946

COMBINED ODOMETER AND OILING INDICATOR Filed July 31, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 g-Nwb um www wuwmnhuN-o ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 27, 1934 4COMBINED oDoME'rEn AND oILING INDICATOR James A. Smith and Ambrose E. Zierick, New York, N. Y.

Application July 31, 1929. Serial No. 382,458

(Cl. 23S-95) 5 Claims.

This invention relates to odometers and appertains more especially to such 'devices with which. are associated indicators, serving to remind, when at certain mileage intervals, the oil for a par- 5 ticular mechanism of a self-propelled vehicle, is

to be changed, or any other reconditioning operation should be effected on the car.

One of the objects of the invention is the production of an improved device of thecharacter referred to, capable of being embodied with the average type of combined speedometer and odometer now in use, without materially altering its size, appearance or construction.

n Another object isgto produce a device of the kind specified, which shall be actuated by one of the mileage counters, preferably in unison with the one whereon are denoted the `numerals giving the mileage in hundreds, while admitting of.

adjustment independently thereof.

A further object consists in producing a device of the class described, having some of its counter drums provided, besides the primary numerals, with xed and movable sets of secondary numerals, so arranged as to indicate the approximately predetermined or chosen additional number of miles to be traversed by the vehicle in order to complete the oil changingcycle originally determined on.

Still another'object is to provide a device of the type mentioned, composed of a minimum number of simple, but strong and durable parts; easily maintained in working order; besides amenable to low cost of manufacture and assembling,

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the specification proceeds.

With the aforesaid objects in view, the invention consists of the novel combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described in their preferred embodiments, pointedrout in the subjoined claims, and illustrated on the annexed drawings, wherein like parts are designated by the same reference characters throughout the several views.

45' Figure I is a fragmentary front elevation of one species of odometer wherewith the present invention is associated;

Fig. II is lIa'. cross `tion taken on the line IIs-II of Fig. I. `looking in the direction of the 50 thereto appertaining arrows;

Fig. III is a longitudinal section thru the interior of the middle or hundred mileage counterdrum, the section being taken on the line III-III of Fig. II looking from right to left thereon;

Flg.IVisaaectionofFig.I.theseo tion being taken on the line IV-IV of the latter;

Fig. V is a side view of a modified form of counter-drum;

Fig. VI is a section taken in a lengthwise direction thru the same modification, the section being had on the line VI-VI of Fig. V, looking according to the arrows; and

Fig. VII is a diagrammatic view showing in development, the comparison between the primary and secondary numbers appearing on the unit, 06 tenth and hundredth mileage counters.

Generally described, the invention underconsideration includes in its organization, an annular member, rotatably carried on one' of the counter drums of the odometer, preferably the one thereof whereon is denoted the hundreds mileage. Combined with this member and drum is a yielding detent which serves to retain the former in position on the latter, while permitting of inter'- re'lative adjustment therebetween. An element 76 controllable from the exterior of the odometer is connected up with the annular member for the purpose of adjustment thereof. On theunitsand tens miles counters as well as on the hundreds mileage counter-drums are marked, in a certain l0 rotative direction and in successively ascending values, what may be called the primary or mileage numerals, as it is usual in odometers. Further, there are marked, at thelside or opposite to these primary numerals, on the two first named B5 counter drums and on the said annular member, secondary sets of numerals, arranged in descend" ancy, which latter secondary numerals'might well be termed as reconditioning, reminding numerals digits. While the last mentioned scale of sec- 1 ondary numerals on the adjustable member is shiftable for co-action with any one of the primary numerals on the hundreds counter-drum, the scales ofsecondary numerals on the other or lower denomination-drums are, in the shownv embodiments of the invention, in permanently xed relation to the primary or mileage numerals on the said lower drums.

The advantages of the invention as here outlined are best realized when all of its features and instrumentalities are combined lin the one and same structure, but useful devices may ybe produced embodying less than the whole.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art to which the invention appertains,upon becoming 106 conversant with the details thereof, that the Same may be incorporated in several differentv cm1- structions. The accompanying drawings, therefore, are submitted merely as showing the pref :erred exemplication of the invention.

Before commencing the detailed description of the invention, it will be stated, in order to convey a clearer idea. of the scope thereof, that such parts of the improved device as are indicated by letters of the alphabet thruout the present specification and accompanying drawings, appertain strictly speaking to a known species of odometer. On the other hand, the parts of the device which are designated by numerals, may be considered as entirely belonging to the invention. It is understood that no claim is made to any of the known parts aforesaid as possessed of actual originality, save that thru their association with the various elements of the improved device, they form a number of combinations serving to accomplish several new and useful results.

Pursuant therefore, to the modeof notation herein adopted, and referring particularly to Figs. I to V of the annexed drawings, the reference letter A designates one of the sides, in this case the left hand one, of a frame or casing 'wherein is housed the odometer and speedometer mechanisms. The latter as well as the trip mileage counters hav'e been omitted as the invention does not concern the same.

B is a horizontal rib or partition which extends between the frames sides, as is customary in certain types of devices of this character. Between these sides is supported a spindle C whereon is mounted to rotate, counter drums D, E, F, G and H, which in accordance with accepted practise, bear designations of unit, ten, hundred, thousand and ten thousand miles, respectively. Motion is transmitted from one of the wheels of the automobile, thru a flexible shaft, as usually is the case, to a gear J. As shown, this gear is provided with a flanged hub K that is formed with a lug L indented with a single tooth space M adapted for engagement with one of the staggered teeth of a pinion N belonging to a so called Geneva movement. Intermittent rotation, at a ratio of 1:10, is imparted by the latterto teeth P projecting from the opposite side of the adjoining unitnumeral bearing counter drum D. In the same way, periodical movement is communicated from the drum D to counter drum E, by another pinion N1, in a like manner to the one rst mentioned. These intermittently operating pinions N and N1, as well as those transmitting similar motion from one to the other of the remaining counters, are revclvably supported on a rod, a portion whereof is represented at Q, held as usual, to the main frame A.

Counter drum F, bearing the numerals denoting the mileage in denomination of hundreds, is by preference on the order of a hollow body provided with a hub 11 projecting beyond the face of thc drum F on both sides thereof, thus serving to space adjacent counter-drums at definite distances apart. The hubs of all drums have a working t upon the aforementioned spindle C. Slipped over said hub 11 is a sleeve 13, having a flange 15 at one of its sides. The function of sleeve 13, is to retain in operative position thereon, an annular member 17, said sleeve being fastened as for example by screws 19 to the drums side wall 21. As seen most clearly from Fig. III, the major portion of member 17 is received within a rim 23, constituting the face of the'counter drum F. On this rim is marked, a series of digits from 0 to 9, in ascendancy, indicating for every gure advanced, each hundred miles travelled by the vehicle. The opposite, minor side portion of said member 17 which is in abutting relation to the flange 15, has formed therewith, gear-teeth 25, the purpose whereof will be more fully pointed out later on. On the facial part 27 of the said member, which intervenes between its side portions and corresponds in diameter to that of the drums rim, there are denoted, preferably, in a color different' from the numerals on the said rim, so as to contrast the latter, another series of digits also from 0 to 9, but reversely arranged to those on the face of the drum F, i. e. in descendancy. From what has just been stated, it will be comprehended that if the member 17 is advanced contemporaneously with the said drum, by frictional or other engagement therewith, the main numerals on the drum F register each one-hundred miles of increasing'mileage each time they are moved the space of one figure, while during the same period of motion, the secondary numerals on the face part 27 of the said member, gradually diminish in denominative values. The object hereof will be referred to here ter.

The means for increasing the propelling torque exerted by the drum F on the member 17 may conveniently consist of a plunger'29 urged by a spring 3l to impinge upon the interior surface of the rim 23, theplunger and its projecting spring being lodged within a pocket 33 formed in that portion of the member which is received interiorly of the drum F. In order to positively locate a secondary numeral on the peripheral part 27 of the member 17 oppositeto or in alignment with a specified primary numeral on the counter-drum, the rim of the latter is provided internally thereof with shallow recesses or cavities 35, one for each numeral. The head-end of plunger 29, when occupying one of the cavities 35, produces under normalY conditions sufllcient friction between the drum F and the member 17 to cause the former to drag the latter along with it. But if a resistance, .preponderant to the pressure exerted by the spring pressed plunger or detent 29 is applied to the member 17, the same may be rotated in either direction. independently of the said drum. 'Ihe instrumentality for effecting this last named setting of the member 17 may be composed of an element 37 preferably in the nature of a pinion the teeth of which mesh with those on the exposed side of the member 17. Said pinion can be aflixed to a shaft 39 having its bearings in the frame A. Shaft 39 may be manipulated directly or thru the intermediary of a pair of mitre gears 41, 43

of which the one last named, is automatically retracted from meshing engagement with its companion, by a compression'spring 45 coiled around a stem 47 whereto saidv gear 43 is secured. The retracting spring is interposed between a knurled manipulating collar 49 at the free terminal of stem 47 and a bearing 51 extending out from the side of the frame A. The step by step rotations of the counter drum F and the ytherewith connected member 17, keeps the element 37 similarly revolving, unless interrupted by the pressing of the gear 43 into engagement with its mate 41, which will either stop the shaft 39 from rotating, or, if the knob 49 is turned in one direction or the other, likewise revolve the' saidi of the other counter drums.

filling periods.

from the front of the device, that is thru the sight aperture in the face plate usually overlying the counter assemblage, there is provided a shield 53 curved so as to cover the said, teeth. The upper extremity 55 of this shield is bifurcated and adapted to clasp onto the rib B, hereinbefore referred to. A. protuberance 57 on the order of a button depending from one of the bifurcations is designed to snap into a depression incorporated in the said rib. If desired, corresponding shields can be supplied opposite to or in alignment with the gear-teeth P, P2,- Intermittent rotation is conveyed from the hundred to the thousand mileage drum thru the same means as for the previous counters. To thisend the retaining flange 15 for the secondary counter member 17, is furnished with a sidewise overhung boss 58 provided with a single tooth space 59 like the one designated M in iiange K of the before mentioned gear J. At 61 is' represented an index or pointer which may be in the form of a bent wire, or other suitable contrivance, being secured to the member 17 in close adjacency tov where 0 is marked on the face thereof. This index facilitates rapid and accurate positioning of zero opposite a given numeral on the adjoining counter drum.

In explaining the purpose of the relative disposition of the primary and secondary numerals on the main counter drums as well as on the adjustable member, respectively, the results obtained thereby can be more easily followed if an actual odometer counter setting is traced.

It has been said before, that annular members 17', containing adjustable secondary or reconditioning-reminding numerals, provided according to the present invention, may be arranged at the side vof any of the counter-drums for cooperation with that particular counterdrum, in accordance with the particular kind of reconditioning-operation of which the motorist wishes to be reminded, whether it be oil-changing periods, or gasoline-taking periods, or air- The illustrated embodiment shows the adjustable annular-member in connection with the hundreds-mileage counter-drum, because it takes the oil-usage of the car as the explained example. The average motorist, in order to take care of his car at his favorite filling station, and in particular if any different practice would be inconvenient with his time and purse, may run 100 to 150 miles beyond the mileage, which he adopted as his normal run before reconditioning his car. Therefore to be reminded of his oil-usage, it is considered to be nea'r enough, to be able to make the selection in any unit of hundreds of miles, and to ignore lesser amounts, which are only fractions thereof. Thus,

inthe case of an oil-indicating odometer, the utility of the device according to this invention is not impaired for lack of mileage selections as @tothe tens and as to the units of miles.

To take now a numerical example, it may be assumed, that on the unit, tenth or hundred counter drums, the numerals (large figures) thereon occupy a position indicating that the car has traveled for example 499 miles, the thousand an ten thousand mileage has been omitted for the sake of brevity, and it is desired after the automobile has gone an additional 500 miles, that the oil in the base of the motor should be changed, the annulus member 17 may for convenience be rotated upon the hundred mileage bearing drum F, until 5 on this member stands opposite 4" on the `last named drum. The subsidiary or secondary numerals (smaller figures) on the unit and tenth drum each denote 0. After the self-propelled vehicle has passed through a distance of another hundred miles, the@ should run only an additonal 99 miles before the oil has had the full usage of 500 miles.

To take now, for the purpose of an exhaustive explanation of the conditons, another numerical example, it may be supposed that, at the moment of setting the reconditioning-remaining device, `the large primary numerals of the odometer indicate that the car has traveled 176 miles. Then the small or secondary numerals at that instance register 2 and 3 on the tens and units-drums, respectively. The motorist, desiring to use the oil I'or a further 500 miles, sets the adjustable annular member of the hundreds-mileage drum to the cipher 5 in alinement with the aforesaid ciphers 2 and 3, so as to have the reminding or secondary setting 523. After thisl he may forget this number 523 completely. As soon as during the continued trip a zero 0 appears in the first digit of the secondary numeral on his odometer,-then the first appearing number of this kind being naturally 099, then this fact reminds the motorist that he has used up his proposed mileage-allowance of 500 to less than 100 miles; there is no need for figuring out, that the covered distance is exactly 424 miles; the zero 0 in the first digit of 099 reminds him, that soon (within 50 to 100 miles) he should reach his home or stop at any other filling station, in order to get his oil-supply reconditioned. This approximate indication and reminder is absolutely sufficient for practical purposes in motoring, as it has been explained above.

If the reconditioning-reminding device according to the present invention shallbe used for reminding the motorist of the necessity of refilling his gasoline-tank, then the adjustable annular member 17 should be arranged at and cooperate withthe counter-drum E, which counts the tens of covered miles, because, to say in a very casual way, under average conditions the gasoline tank of a motor-car needs refilling every 100 miles.

The modified form of the invention depicted by Figs. V and VI is in nearly all respects similar to and operates in the same manner as the type of device represented in the first four views of the accompanying drawings. In the aforesaid modification, the hundred mileage counter-drum, is designated by a like referenceletter to the one previously described., to which an exponent is suflixed. This the last referred to drum F1 is driven thru the agency of a lpinion N2 the teeth whereof meshv with those formed internally of and at one side of drum F1, as indicated at P3. The latter in its turn is propelled intermittently by the next or adjacent counter, all of which counter-.drums are -mounted to rotate upon a. spindle C1. Pinion N2 may be fixed to a short lot pin 63 revolvably supported in ears 65 that exf tend from a hub 67 secured as by pinning it to said spindle C1. The central hub of the drum F1 is in this embodiment of the invention shown as being in the nature of sleeve 11a superposed with a press fit, upon the hub 13a pertaining to a ange 15a that serves to revolubly retain the annulus member 17a thereon. Adjustment of this member is had thru dentations 25a on the latter which' are engaged by an element similar to the one denoted 37 of the construction first described. Internally disposed teeth 69 on retaining ange 15a are in mesh with one-half of the teeth of a pinion, on the same order as the one (N2) located at the opposite side of and in engagement with the teeth P3. The friction imposing detent may be composed of a spring Washer '7l lodged in a space or pocket 73 formed intermediately of the member 17a and the numeral carrying drum Fl. The secondary numerals arranged indescendancy are marked on the peripheral face of the said member 17a, as in the type of device first above referred to. A development of the circumferential surfaces of the secondary and primary numerals bearing annulus and drum is illustrated in Fig. VII, this view showing the descendancy and ascendancy arrangement of the figures on these primary and secondary counters.

It has been explained already above, that notwithstanding the fact that in the represented examples that the adjustable member is associated with the hundreds mileage counter drum, no limitation is intended in this respect, as this member may be arranged for co-operation with any one of the other drums, depending of course upon the selected oil changing period or interval for oil-changing or any other reconditioning operation.

While certain preferred embodiments of this device have been shown and described, it will be understood that changes in the form, arrangements, proportions, sizes and details thereof may be made, Without departing from the scope of the invention as deflned by the appended claims.

Having described our invention what we desire to secure by Letters Patent and claim, isz- 1. In an indicating device of the class described, the combination of a succession of interconnected counter-drums with numeral-sets in ascendency, an annular member having on its circumference a numeral set in descendency and ridingl in andndependently turnable manner on one of the counter-drums, frictional coupling means connecting the annular member with its coordinate counter-drum, a toothing on the annularmember, a pinion meshing with the toothing and fastened on a shaft carrying a cog-wheel, a counter cog-wheel provided with hand-actuated operating means and adapted to mesh with the first-said cog-wheel, and a retractive spring keeping the two cog-wheels normally out of engagement.

2. In van indicating device of the class described, the combination of a succession of interconnected counter-drums with numeral sets in ascendency, a sleeve-like circumferential rim at one of the counter-drums with flatgrooves at the inside of the rim in correspondence to the nu-I merals of that drum, an annular-member riding in an independently turnable manner on the lastsaid counter drum, and having on its circumference a numeral set in descendency, and having further a radial pocket adapted to be brought into register With the aforesaid grooves, a springpressed plunger` in the said pocket adapted to engage into any of the said grooves, so as to couple the annular member and its coordinate counterdrum, and to slip again out of the couplinggroove, if a superior turning pressure is exerted on the annular-member, and hand-manipulating means for exerting a superior turning pressure on the annular-member.

3. In an indicating device of the class described, the combination of a succession of interconnected counter-drums with numeral sets in ascendency, one of the counter-drums having an annular pocket at its one end, an annular-member riding in an independently turnable manner on the last said counter-drum and facing the said pocket and having on its circumference a numeral set in descendency, a spring-washer in the annular pocket, so as to bear with frictional pressure on the annular member as well as on the last-said counter-drum, and hand manipulating means for turning the annular member independently of the last-said counter-drum.

4. In an indicating device of the class vdescribed, the combination of a plurality of counter-drums arranged side by side, and having each a succession of numerals on its circumference, an independently adjustable annular member alongside of and co-ordinated to one of the counterdrums, and having on its circumference a succession of numerals equal to the numbers, but opposite to the value succession of the numerals on the counter-drum, co-ordinated to this annular member, a frictional detent coupling member carried by the last mentioned counter-drum and connecting the annular member in any adjusted position to said carrying counter-drum, and means for changing the adjustment of the annular member with reference to the said carrying counter-drum independently of it's setting and the movements of this carrying counterdrum.

5. In an indicating device of the class described, the combination of a succession of interconnected counter-drums with numerals-sets in ascendency, an annular member having on its circumference a numeral set in descendency, and riding in an independently turntable manner on one of the counterdrums, frictional coupling means connecting the annular member with its co-ordinate counter-drum, a toothing on the said annular member, a pinion meshing with the toothing and fa'stened on a shaft connected with hand-actuated operating means, and a stationary guard surrounding the toothing on the annular member on its outer circumference, so as to hide the toothing from view and to protect it against interference from the outside, except for the pinion meshing with this toothing.

JAMES A. SMITH. AMBROSE E. ZIERICK. 

